SONG OF THE WEEK: 12-31-2023

SONG:  "Sewn Up"

ARTIST:  Mercy Music

ALBUM:  "Until The End Of Your World"

YEAR:  2018

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Las Vegas, Nevada

YEARS ACTIVE:  2014 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

I can't find the lyrics anywhere on the net for "Sewn Up". I know in the first verse, it seems he's tearing someone up! I just don't want to say one way or the other what I think the song is about if I don't have the lyrics in front of me. I'll be sure to edit this if I stumble upon the lyrics.

MERCY MUSIC DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2014 - When I Die, I'm Taking You With Me (SquidHat Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - Until The End Of Your World (La Escalera Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - Nothing In The Dark (Wiretap Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - What You Stand To Lose (SBAM Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON MERCY MUSIC:

Mercy Music got their start back in 2014, hailing from Las Vegas. What started out as kind of an acoustic project for vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Brendan Scholz, eventually turned into a 3 piece band. The guys dropped their debut full length in 2014, titled "When I Die, I'm Taking You With Me". They followed that up with 2018's "Until The End Of Your World". 2020 saw the band release "Nothing In The Dark". Mercy Music's most recent release was the 2023 full length "What You Stand To Lose". Mercy Music is definitely rooted in pop punk but they definitely incorporate some straight rock sound and even show off some bluesy elements to their sound. Even though they have been a band for almost 10 years now, I kinda consider them a new band. At least they are relatively new to me. I've been listening to them since their 2018 album "Until The End Of Your World" came out and lately, I've been really checking them out. Mercy Music is a very solid band. Sometimes you buy an album from a band, give it a listen or two, then kinda lose track of them. That kinda happened to me with Mercy Music. Going back and listening to them and getting more of their catalogue has really turned me into a big fan of these guys. They write some real catchy shit and the bluesy stuff, like a song like "Pretend", really blew me away. These guys should be checked out for sure!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Tightwire

The Carolyn

Western Settings

Winning Streak

Kid You Not

TEN MERCY MUSIC SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Suddenly

2. Song For

3. Love You/Need You

4. Hang Your Head

5. Found Out I'm Useless

6. Pretend

7. Living With A Ghost

8. Nothing In The Dark

9. Undone

10. Fine

SONG OF THE WEEK: 12-24-2023

SONG:  "China Beach"

ARTIST:  Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers

ALBUM:  "Bought To Rot"

YEAR:  2018

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Gainesville, Florida

YEARS ACTIVE:  1997 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The underlying message of China Beach is that despite the hardships and pain one may face, there is hope for healing and finding inner strength. The song encourages resilience and emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and self-care. You almost get a sense that the vocalist is having like an out of body experience and questioning herself at times and encouraging herself at other times.

LAURA JANE GRACE DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2018 - Bought To Rot (Bloodshot Records) 

* (Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers release)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - Stay Alive (Polyvinyl Records)

* (Laura Jane Grace solo release)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON LAURA JANE GRACE:

Laura Jane Grace has been making music since the mid to late 90's, hailing from Gainesville, Florida. Of course, she is most well known as the vocalist/guitarist/songwriter for the punk band Against Me! With Against Me!, she released 7 full length studio albums along with a a slew of EP's, live albums and compilation albums over a 23 year period. She has said that Against Me! is on hiatus right now and have been since 2020. Laura Jane Grace's solo material first surfaced in 2008, before she transitioned and was still going by her birthname Tom Gabel. That was an EP titled "Heart Burns". She would support that EP by playing acoustic sets on the Revival Tour with Chuck Ragan and Tim Barry. In 2012, she announced she was going to transition to become a female and chose to be called Laura Jane Grace from that point on. In 2018, she formed a band called Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers and released the album "Bought To Rot". That band seemed to be a one off project as she would release her next album as a solo, 2020's "Stay Alive". Most recently, she released the EP "At War With Silverfish" in 2021. Her next full length is set to be released in February of 2024 and is titled "Hole In My Head". I'm a huge Against Me! fan so obviously I'm gonna check out anything that Laura Jane Grace does. Her solo stuff isn't too far off what Against Me! does. Though it's a little less punk. She's definitely exploring different sounds and genres while keeping that punk foundation with her solo material. I heard a couple of singles from her new album coming out in a couple months and i'm liking what i'm hearing right now. Maybe since Against Me! is on a hiatus right now, she feels comfortable creating a more punk album with her new solo project. With that being said, I hope Against Me! isn't done. They're just too f'n good a band to not continue. Hopefully, after Laura Jane Grace releases this new record and tours to support it, she can relight the fire under Against Me!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Against Me!

The Gaslight Anthem

The Menzingers

Alkaline Trio

Bad Astronaut

TEN LAURA JANE GRACE SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Anna Is A Stool Pigeon

2. Apocalypse Now (& Later) (w/ The Devouring Mothers)

3. The Swimming Pool Song

4. The Airplane Song (w/ The Devouring Mothers)

5. Random Hearts

6. The Hotel Song (w/ The Devouring Mothers)

7. Day Old Coffee

8. Supernatural Possession

9. Blood & Thunder

10. Reality Bites (w/ The Devouring Mothers)

SONG OF THE WEEK: 12-17-2023

SONG:  "Brandenburg Gate" (acoustic version)

ARTIST:  Anti-Flag

ALBUM:  "American Reckoning"

YEAR:  2018

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

YEARS ACTIVE:  1988 - 2023

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Brandenburg Gate" tells a story about a couple who metaphorically separated but refuse to give up on their relationship. Anti-Flag vocalist/guitarist Justin Sane said this about the song. "In the end, the song is about the idea that despite the odds - no matter how big the odds may be - anything is achievable. The Brandenburg Gate was a symbol of the Cold War, and it was a symbol of division. It was like this barrier that no one would be able to overcome. But eventually, that wall came down, and all of a sudden, that gate was opened. People were actually able to be brought together. I think that's just one example of how when things seem impossible, there's always a possibility for hope and change when people are willing to fight for it." I chose an acoustic version of the song here, the original can be found on Anti-Flag's 2015 album, "American Spring".

ANTI-FLAG DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1996 - Die For The Government (New Red Archives)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1998 - Their System Doesn't Work For You (A-F Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

1999 - A New Kind Of Army (Go-Kart Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - Underground Network (Fat Wreck Chords)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2002 - Mobilize (A-F Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2003 - The Terror State (Fat Wreck Chords)

* peaked at #91 on the Billboard 200 on 10-21-03

2006 - For Blood And Empire (RCA Records)

* peaked at #100 on the Billboard 200 on 3-21-06

2008 - The Bright Lights Of America (RCA Records)

* peaked at #118 on the Billboard 200 on 4-1-08

2009 - The People Or The Gun (SideOneDummy Records)

* peaked at #122 on the Billboard 200 on 6-9-09

2012 - The General Strike (SideOneDummy Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - American Spring (Spinefarm Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Cease Fires (A-F Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Live Acoustic At 11th Street Records (Spinefarm Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2017 - Live Vol. 1 (A-F Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2017 - American Fall (Spinefarm Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2018 - American Reckoning (Spinefarm Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Live Vol. 2 (A-F Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2020 - 20/20 Vision (Spinefarm Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - Lies They Tell Our Children (Spinefarm Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON ANTI-FLAG:

Anti-Flag initially formed as a band back in 1988 but the project was short-lived. Some four years later in 1992, they guys decided to give it another go. The Pittsburgh products debut album would be 1996's "Die For Your Government". The band's next three albums, 1999's "A New Kind Of Army", 2001's "Underground Network" and 2002's "Mobilize", would start giving some buzz to the band but it was their 2003 release through Fat Wreck Chords called "The Terror State" that would really put the wind under Anti-Flag's sails. After this album, Anti-Flag signed a two album deal with major label RCA, who released "For Blood And Empire" in 2006 and "The Bright Lights Of America" in 2008. In 2009, Anti-Flag signed with SideOneDummy Records for the 2009 album "The People Or The Gun" and the 2012 album "The General Strike". In 2015, Anti-Flag signed with Spinefarm Records. The band went on to drop four successive bangers of albums with that label, 2015's "American Spring", 2017's "American Fall", 2020's "20/20 Vison" and the band's most recent release, 2023's "Lies They Tell Our Children". On July 19, 2023, Anti-Flag abruptly disbanded, taking down all of their social media platforms and closing their own label, A-F Records. Vocalist Justin Sane had been accused of sexual misconduct, first by one woman, then by several more after the fact. The band just couldn't see going forward because the serious accusations stand for everything that the band fought against. Anti-Flag was one of the most consistent bands out there. It seemed like they never rested, putting out new material constantly, sometime after only a year from their last release! They were also a band notorious for shining a light on various social and political issues. One of the issues they championed throughout the years was women's rights and speaking up for victims of sexual assault and abuse which makes the allegations against Justin Sane even harder to swallow. I'm not a judge. At this time, these are just allegations and both side's voices should be heard. At the same time, Anti-Flag is one of my favorite bands so however the Sane situation works out, you have to remember that there were three other guys in the band who put their blood, sweat and tears into Anti-Flag's music as well and they shouldn't be punished because of one of the members. I guess I'll just keep an open mind for now and be bummed that one of the best punk bands out there is officially no more.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Pennywise

Bad Religion

Authority Zero

The Bouncing Souls

Millencolin

TEN ANTI-FLAG SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Brandenburg Gate

2. American Attraction

3. The Bright Lights Of America

4. The Press Corpse

5. Turncoat

6. Broken Bones

7. Die For The Government

8. Christian Nationalist

9. Sodom, Gomorrah, Washington D.C. (Sheep In Shepherd's Clothing)

10. Laugh, Cry, Smile, Die

SONG OF THE WEEK: 12-10-2023

SONG:  "Worn So Thin"

ARTIST:  Alkaline Trio

ALBUM:  "Is This Thing Cursed?"

YEAR:  2018

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Chicago, Illinois

YEARS ACTIVE:  1996 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Worn So Thin" appears to be a song about wanting to start over in life and leave all your past problems behind you. But, it seems that when the  vocalist tries to approach life this way, he just reverts to the same old habits and mistakes that leaves him in a bad place. He even calls himself, basically garbage for not being able to break his old habits and get out of his hole. It's kinda depressing but hey, it is an Alkaline Trio song!!

ALKALINE TRIO DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1998 - Goddamnit (Asian Man Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2000 - Alkaline Trio (Asian Man Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2000 - Maybe I'll Catch Fire (Asian Man Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2001 - From Here To Infirmary (Vagrant Records)

* peaked at #199 on the Billboard 200 on 4-3-01

2003 - Good Mourning (Vagrant Records)

* peaked at #20 on the Billboard 200 on 5-13-03

2005 - Crimson (Vagrant Records)

* peaked at #25 on the Billboard 200 on 5-24-05

2007 - Remains (Vagrant Records)

* peaked at #64 on the Billboard 200 on 1-30-07

2008 - Agony & Irony (Epic Records)

* peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200 on 7-1-08

2010 - This Addiction (Epitaph Records)

* peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200 on 2-23-10

2011 - Damnesia (Epitaph Records)

* peaked at #43 on the Billboard 200 on 7-12-11

2013 - My Shame Is True (Epitaph Records)

* peaked at #24 on the Billboard 200 on 4-2-13

2018 - Is This Thing Cursed? (Epitaph Records)

* peaked at #68 on the Billboard 200 on 8-31-18

MY THOUGHTS ON ALKALINE TRIO:

Alkaline Trio is a Chicago band that got it's start back in 1996. After releasing some singles and EP's, the band dropped their debut full length in 1998, titled "Goddamnit". In 2000, the band released a compilation of those early EP's called "Alkaline Trio". They also dropped their sophomore full length album that year called "Maybe I'll Catch Fire". 2001's "From Here To Infirmary" would be the album that started generating some serious buzz around Alkaline Trio, thanks in part to the singles "Stupid Kid" and "Private Eye". They continued that success with their next release, 2001's "Good Mourning". 2005 saw the band drop the album "Crimson". At this point, Alkaline Trio were headliner material. The band dropped a b-sides comp in 2007 called "Remains" and in 2008, they released "Agony & Irony" through major label Epic Records. In 2010, Alkaline Trio began releasing music through their own label, Heart & Skull, which worked with Epitaph Records. Their first release on that label was 2010's "This Addiction". In 2011, the band released "Damnesia", which featured re-worked and stripped down versions of their songs. 2013 saw the release of "My Shame Is True". There was a 5 year stretch between albums at this point, mostly due to guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba working on some side projects, most notably Matt Skiba And The Sekrets as well as filling in for Tom Delonge with Blink 182 while Dan Andriano, bassist/vocalist, was doing his own thing with punk supergroup The Falcon as well as his side project Dan Andriano In The Emergency Room. But, in 2018, the Trio returned with "Is This Thing Cursed?". Most recently, Alkaline Trio has finished up their new album, "Blood, Hair And Eyeballs" and it is set to be released in February of 2024. Point blank, Alkaline Trio is an f'n awesome band! You can call them punk, pop punk, emo at times, goth punk at times, whatever..  They are just a great band. They were dropping albums strong, almost every 2 years in the early 2000's. They've been a little more sporadic lately but as I said earlier, they do have quite a few side projects as well. Bummer news is that long time drummer Derek Grant left the band in 2023 due to some health issues as well as wanting to get more into the production side of the music business. Long time punk drumming veteran Atom Willard has taken Grant's place behind the kits. I fell in love with Alkaline Trio during their "From Here To Infirmary" album. "Private Eye" hooked me early and I've been a fan ever since. They just have so many good songs and never seem to disappoint with their albums. Top notch punk rock band. Top notch band in any genre really!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Matt Skiba And The Sekrets

The Lawrence Arms

The Bouncing Souls

The Menzingers

Hot Water Music

TEN ALKALINE TRIO SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. This Addiction

2. Mercy Me

3. Radio

4. Private Eye

5. We've Had Enough

6. She Lied To The FBI

7. Calling All Skeletons

8. Clavicle

9. Metro (Berlin cover)

10. Is This Thing Cursed?

SONG OF THE WEEK: 12-3-2023

SONG:  "California"

ARTIST:  Nowherebound

ALBUM:  "The Songs Of Broken Men"

YEAR:  2011

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Austin, Texas

YEARS ACTIVE:  2010 - present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"California" appears to be a song about the perception of California. The bright lights, the big city, the blue ocean, Hollywood and fame. Maybe the vocalist is saying it's a nice place to visit, but in the end, the promise, or hope of the perception of what California or Hollywood is or what it could provide is most likely unattainable. You can dream of that extraordinary life but the reality is, you're probably better off back home. California is like a one night stand, not a long term relationship!

NOWHEREBOUND DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2011 - The Songs Of Broken Men (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2013 - II (self-released)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - Mockingbirds (Drunken Ship Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2015 - All We Got Is Everything To Lose (Drunken Ship Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2016 - Hearts & Arrows (Drunken Ship Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

2019 - Mourning Glory (Drunken Ship Records)

* did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON NOWHEREBOUND:

Austin, Texas band Nowherebound formed in 2010 when lead singer Chris Klinck of Born To Lose and guitarist of New Disaster, Natchet Taylor, got together and began writing acoustic folk punk songs together. The duo self-released their debut full length album, "The Songs Of Broken Men" in 2011. In 2013, they dropped their sophomore release, "II". By the time of the band's third release, 2015's "Mockingbird", Nowherebound added members to become a full on band, ultimately becoming a 6 piece band at the current time. Ever the hard working band, Nowherebound released a second full length in 2015 called "All We Got Is Everything To Lose". 2016 saw the band release what is probably considered their heaviest record to date, "Hearts & Arrows". The band's most recent full length would be 2019's "Mourning Glory". In 2020, they also released a stand alone single, a cover of The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter". People that know Chris Klinck's other band, Born To Lose, know that they were a straight street punk type band. Nowherebound doesn't lose those ideals, just write songs that are more in the acoustic folk punk vein. Whether their songs are straight acoustic guitar and vocals or a full band assault, Nowherebound creates excellent songs and have a great vibe about them. Being a Born To Lose fan, I got into Nowherebound right when they started. Much like Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music) and Tim Barry before him, Chris Klinck pulls of this style of music in flying colors. Nowherebound is a great band and always seem like they are actively putting out new music or touring. The only thing that slowed them down slightly was the Covid pandemic, but it appears they are hard at work on new music which should be released in the near future!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Pipes And Pints

Jesse LeBourdais

FM359

6'10

The Roughneck Riot

TEN NOWHEREBOUND SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Carry On

2. Red River & 8th

3. Lonely As You

4. Restin' In The Peices

5. Hey There Johnny

6. Fade To Black

7. Here I Am

8. Frankfurt Am

9. Gimme Shelter (The Rolling Stones cover)

10. Burnt Out Stars